| Comet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Statistics | |
|
Location |
|
|
Opened |
August 1951 |
|
Height |
37 feet |
|
Top speed |
25 mph |
|
Length |
1,300 feet |
|
0 | |
|
Drop |
25 feet |
|
Duration |
1:24 |
|
Lift/launch system |
Chain |
|
Track layout |
Wood |
|
Height restriction |
46 inches |
Comet is a wooden roller coaster at Waldameer & Water World in Erie, Pennsylvania. It was designed by Herbert Paul Schmeck and built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. It opened in August 1951, and has operated continuously ever since. It is one of 30 roller coasters to have been designated an ACE Coaster Classic. It was the first roller coaster to open at the park since the closure of Ravine Flyer in 1938.
Comet operated with its original manual braking system from its opening until the end of the 2011 season. For the 2012 season, the ride was updated with a new automatic magnetic and friction braking system, as well as a new control system. This allowed for two-train operation on busy days.
Ride experience[]
Upon dispatch from the station, the train turns right out of the station into the 37-foot lift hill. It crests the lift hill, and drops 25 feet before climbing back up into a left turn. The train drops again, this time into two airtime hills, and then ascending into a righthand turn over the roof of the station. It drops again into two bunny-hop airtime hills and enters another righthand turn located beneath the first left curve of the ride. It drops once more into a final airtime hill before entering the brake run and turning right into the station.
Trains[]
Comet has two four-car Junior PTC trains, one of which is painted green and the other is painted orange. Both are adorned with the ride's logo on the lead car. Each car can hold four passengers in two rows of two, allowing for a maximum train capacity of 16 riders.